Walk ramp

ABSTRACT

A walk ramp for use with a van or trailer, preferably manufactured from extruded aluminum. A pair of elongated side rails, including opposing inwardly facing open rail channels, is arranged in substantially parallel relation. A plurality of interlocking tread plates spans the rails, having their outer edges inserted within the rail channels. Each tread plate has a first connecting edge provided with a flange, and a second connecting edge provided with a recess. The flanges and recesses are sized and configured to interlock in sliding relation. Each tread plate features a plurality of upstanding ribs and a reinforcement tube, both extending between the outer edges of the plate. Bolts pass inwardly through the rails, into respective open ends of the reinforcement tube. A top apron and a bottom skid plate are provided on the ends of the ramp.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to portable ramps used to load andunload goods from a truck, either to the ground or to a loading dock.More particularly, the invention pertains to ramps and componentsthereof, in which a plurality of modular, interlocking tread platesspans a pair of side rails, to form a walking surface of unusualstrength mechanical integrity.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The prior art teaches a variety of different approaches for walking rampconstruction. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,328,818, a reinforced walkramp is shown, which uses three longitudinal beams, side pieces, and asheet of reinforced plywood. The assembly is integrally secured by meansof a resin impregnated fiberglass mat structure. U.S. Pat. No.5,325,558, issued to Labreche, discloses a wheelchair ramp apparatus, inwhich hingeably connected U-shaped tracks accommodate supportive meshpieces. Two sets of the tracks are further connected to each other bymeans of a connecting link. And, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,870, granted toDeutch et al., a reversible ramp utilizing a plurality of die-castgrates, sandwiched between a pair of extruded magnesium alloy sidemembers, is shown. In this construction, tie rods are connected to andextend between the side members, so that adjacent grates are separatedand supported by an intermediate tie rod. This ramp is reversible byvirtue of gripping nodules on the upper and lower side of each grate.

The need exists, however, for a walk ramp which is not only lightweight,but sufficiently durable to withstand the rigors of daily commercialuse.

The need further exists for a walk ramp which includes modular treadplates which can be easily replaced, in the event of damage or breakage.

The need also exists for a walk ramp which is modular in construction,so that ramps of various lengths can easily be manufactured employingthe same construction techniques.

The need also exists for a walk ramp which has a surface adapted foraccommodating rolling apparatus, such as a dolly, and which alsoprovides a walking surface with gripping characteristics for safewalking.

These and other objects will be described below in the drawings and thedetailed description of the preferred embodiment to follow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a lightweight, portable walk ramp, foruse in spanning two locations, of identical or different elevations.Generally, such a walk ramp will be used for manually loading andunloading goods from a truck or a trailer. The ramp has sufficientstrength, and durability, and presents surface characteristics to allowa driver, through the use of a dolly, or other rolling carrier, totransport the goods onto or off of the truck or trailer.

To that end, the ramp comprises a pair of elongated side rails,preferably made from extruded aluminum. The side rails include opposing,inwardly facing, open rail channels, arranged in substantially parallelrelation. The rail channels are U-shaped in cross-section, having afloor portion and upper and lower walls.

The present invention also includes a plurality of interlocking modulartread plates, which form the walking surface of the ramp. Each treadplate has a first connecting edge provided with a male flange, and asecond connecting edge provided with a female recess. The connectingedges are parallel to and opposing each other, and they aresubstantially identical in length. The flanges and recesses within theconnecting edges are sized and configured to interlock in slidingrelation. Thus, in initially assembling the ramp, the male flange of afirst tread plate slidably engages a female tread plate of a secondtread plate. This process continues until the desired length for theramp surface, is achieved.

Each tread plate further includes opposing outer edges, extendingbetween the first and second connecting edges. The outer edges aretypically shorter than the connecting edges, forming a tread plate whichis generally rectangular in plan. The outer edges of the assembled treadplates are inserted within the U-shaped rail channels.

Each tread plate also features a plurality of upstanding ribs and areinforcement tube, arranged in parallel, spaced relation across thetread plate. Both the ribs and the reinforcement tube extend between theouter edges of the plate. Bolts pass inwardly through the sidewalls ofthe rails, and threadably engage respective open ends of thereinforcement tube. Other bolts which are provided, pass through theupper and lower walls of the rail channels, securing the outer edges ofthe tread plate therebetween.

A plurality of elongated slots is provided in tread channels defined bythe space between the ribs. This effectively lowers the overall weightof the ramp, without significantly diminishing its overall strength. Inaddition, larger gripping apertures, sized and configured to pass aworker's hand, are provided in the tread plate. By utilizing thesegripping apertures, a worker may conveniently grasp the walk ramp, forinstallation and removal of the ramp at a work site.

An apron is provided at the upper end of the walk ramp, and a skid plateis provided at the ramp's lower end. The apron provides a surfacetransition with the floor of the truck or van. The skid plate provides asurface transition with the ground or a loading dock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a left front perspective view of the walking ramp of thepresent invention, the intermediate portion of the ramp being shown inbroken line to represent an indeterminate number of tread plates andassociated lengths of side rails, extending between upper and lowerlengths of the ramp;

FIG. 2 is a right front perspective of a short version of the presentwalking ramp, including only two tread plates, illustrative of the basicfeatures of the ramp;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective of the ramp of FIG. 2, showing the twotread plates, the opposing side rails, the upper apron, and the lowerskid plate;

FIG. 4 is an inset detail view, showing a connection bolt, a fragment ofthe side rail, and a fragment of the tread plate including thereinforcement tube and the male flange;

FIG. 5 is an inset detail view, showing fragmentary mating portions oftwo tread plates;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the walking ramp of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the walking ramp of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on the line 8-8, inFIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on the line 9-9, inFIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on the line 10-10,in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on the line 11-11,in FIG. 6; and,

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on the line 12-12,in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, the walk ramp11 of the present invention comprises one or more tread plates 12.Because the tread plates are modular and of identical characteristics, aplurality of tread plates may be assembled to form a walk ramp of anydesired length, as represented by the two differing ramps 11 shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. It is preferred that tread plates 12 are formed fromextruded aluminum, to maintain a desirable balance between weight andstrength.

Each tread plate 12 has opposing side edges 13 and 14. A firstconnecting edge 16 and a second connecting edge 17, extend between sideedges 13 and 14. The first connecting edge 16 includes male connectormeans 18 comprised of a flange 19. In the disclosed preferredembodiment, flange 19 is generally v-shaped in cross-section, includinga pair diverging wing portions. However, the particular configuration isnot critical, with obvious equivalents including “T”, “L”, andknob-shaped flanges.

The second connecting edge 17 is provided with female connector means21. As shown in FIG. 8, female connector means 21 includes a femaleconnector head 22 with a recess 23 on one side thereof. So as toaccommodate the configuration of flange 19, recess 23 includes a base24, an open top portion 26, and converging walls 27 extending betweenthe base 24 and the open top portion 26. It should also be noted thatfillets 28, comprising thickened or reinforced regions having a radius,are provided on the other side of the female connector head 22 toreinforce the connector assembly. As will be pointed out further herein,other fillets are strategically located throughout the tread plate 12,to ensure both the strength and durability of the ramp 11.

Making particular reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, the male connector means16 of one tread plate 12 is sized and configured slidably to engage afemale connector means 21 of another tread plate 12. In this manner, twoor more tread plates 12 are interlocked to each other to provideadditional structural integrity for the ramp. Additionally, owing to themodular characteristics of the tread plates 12, if an individual treadplate failed, a substitute tread plate can easily be installed ininterlocking fashion with the other tread plates.

To provide additional rigidity to tread plates 12, a plurality ofprotruding ribs 29 is provided. Ribs 29 extend substantially betweenopposing side edges 13 and 14, and are arranged in parallel, spacedrelation across said plate to define tread channels 31 therebetween. Theribs 29 preferably protrude both from the upper side and from the lowerside of the plates 12. A plurality of transverse notches 32 may beprovided in an outer edge of the ribs extending from the upper side ofthe plates 12. Notches 32 provide additional gripping friction for shoesand wheels passing over the exposed upper side of the plates 12.

Tread plates 12 are further provided with at least one reinforcementmeans 33, integrally formed with the plate itself. This integralformation of the reinforcement means with the plate is effected in astraightforward manner, when the tread plates are manufactured using anextrusion process. Each reinforcement means 33 spans substantially theentire distance between opposing side edges 13 and 14 of a tread plate,and includes a fastening receiver 34 adjacent each side edge. It ispreferred that reinforcement means 33 comprises a tube 36, generallycircular in cross-section, and having an open bottom 37. This structureis shown most clearly in the cross-sectional view contained in FIG. 8.

It should be noted that a connector rib 38 is provided between maleconnecting edge and the tube 36. Connector rib 38 includes fillets, orradii, 39 to provide extra strength in the connection systeminterconnecting two tread plates. Fillets 39 also mirror thereinforcement provided by the fillets 28, included within the femaleconnecting edge 17. Connector rib 38 also includes an outer planarportion 41 which is maintained in flush relation with an abuttingportion of female connector head 22. Through this strategicreinforcement of the tread plate construction, particularly in the areaof the means connecting adjacent plates, stresses imposed on individualtread plates are effectively transferred and distributed to adjacentplates.

Where reinforcement means 33 is generally tubular in configuration,fastening receiver 34 merely constitutes the open end of tube 36.However, other shapes or structures for the reinforcement means mayrequire different fastening receivers. For example, if the reinforcementmeans were a solid bar or rod, the fastening receiver may be a tappedhole. If the reinforcement means were a hollow tube, square incross-section, a threaded insert piece may be employed. In any event, itis preferred that fastening receiver 34 be capable of receiving adetachable fastener, such as a threaded rail bolt 42. Since thepreferred material for tread plate 12 is extruded aluminum, rail bolt 42may be of the self-tapping variety, capable of forming its own threadswithin fastening receiver 34.

Walk ramp 11 further includes a first side rail 43 and a second siderail 44. The length of side rails 43 and 44 is generally co-extensivewith the length of the assembled tread plates 12. First side rail 43includes an inwardly facing channel 46, sized to accept the side edges13 of the tread plates 12. Similarly, second side rail 44 includes aninwardly facing channel 47, sized to accept the side edges 14 of thetread plates 12.

The previously mentioned rail bolts 42, provide the primary means forsecuring the side edges of the tread plates within a respective channel.Rail bolts 42 are passed inwardly through an aperture 48 in the siderail, where they are threadably engaged with a respective fasteningreceiver 34. This process draws the side edges of the tread plates intotight, abutting relation with the base of the channel. In addition, railbolts 42 act structurally to integrate the reinforcement means 33 ofeach tread plate, with the side rails 43 and 44.

Side rails 43 and 44 include specific structures to enhance theirstrength and rigidity. For example, upper reinforcement bar 49 and lowerreinforcement bar 51 are provided on the side rails to resist verticaldeflection of the rails. Channel fillets 52 are provided on both theupper and lower connection points between the channels and the siderails. These channel fillets 52 resist twisting forces imposed on thechannels from downward vertical forces applied to the tread plates.

Walk ramp 11 also includes an apron 53 attached to the upper ends ofeach of the side rails 43 and 44. Apron 53 includes a transition plate54 and lateral support arms 56. Apron 53 is designed to provide a smoothtransition between the upper end of the ramp and the surface of thetruck bed or loading dock upon which the ramp is placed. For thatpurpose, transition plate 54 is oriented at an angle which is generallyparallel to, or in some cases co-planar with, with the truck bed orloading dock surface. Support arms 56 are attached to the outersidewalls of the side rails by means of bolts 57 and nuts 58.

The walk ramp 11 further includes a skid plate 59, attached to the lowerend of each of the side rails 43 and 44. Skid plate 59 includes anangled facet 61 to provides a smooth transition with the ground or theloading dock, for rolling implements onto or off of the ramp. Lateralbrackets 62, extend from the skid plate to slide over respective upperand lower portions of the channels 46 and 47. Channel bolts 63 and nuts64 are employed to secure brackets 62 to the channels.

To reduce the overall weight of the walk ramp 11, a plurality ofapertures 66 are provided in spaced relation within tread channels 31.Apertures 66 are preferably in the configuration of elongated slots, butany size and shape appropriate for the width of the tread channels issatisfactory, providing the structural integrity of the tread plates isnot significantly reduced. In addition, the tread plates may includingone or more gripping apertures 67 in various locations throughout theplate. Gripping apertures 67 are sized and configured to pass a humanhand, and provide the ramp user with a positive means to lift the rampfor placement and removal.

It will be appreciated, therefore, that I have disclosed an improvedwalk ramp, employing a plurality of interlocking, modular tread plates,including various reinforcement features, in which the side ends of thetread plates interconnect with and a pair of opposing side rails,providing a rigid, lightweight, and durable structure.

1. A tread plate comprising: a. a plate having opposing side edges and afirst connecting edge and a second connecting edge extending betweensaid side edges, said first connecting edge including male connectormeans and said second connecting edge including female connector means,said plate further having an upper side and a lower side; b. a pluralityof exposed ribs protruding from said upper side and said lower side ofsaid plate, said ribs extending substantially between said opposing sideedges and being arranged in spaced relation across said plate to defineupper side and lower side tread channels therebetween; and, c.reinforcement means integrally formed within said plate, saidreinforcement means extending substantially between said opposing sideedges and including a fastening receiver adjacent each side edge.
 2. Atread plate as in claim 1 in which said male connector means comprises aflange.
 3. A tread plate as in claim 2 in which said flange is v-shapedin cross-section, including a pair diverging wing portions.
 4. A treadplate as in claim 3 in which said wing portions terminate on one side ofa respective one of said plurality of ribs, and in which fillets areprovided on the other side of said respective one rib.
 5. A tread plateas in claim 1 in which said female connector means comprises a recess.6. A tread plate as in claim 5 in which said recess includes a base, anopen top portion, and converging walls extending between said base andsaid open top portion.
 7. A tread plate as in claim 6 in which saidrecess is located within one side of a female connector head and inwhich fillets are provided on the other side of said female connectorhead.
 8. A tread plate as in claim 1 in which said reinforcement meanscomprises a tube, and further including at least two rail bolts passinginwardly into a respective said fastening receiver.
 9. A tread plate asin claim 8 in which said fastening receiver comprises an open end, sizedto be engaged by a threaded end of a respective said rail bolt.
 10. Atread plate as in claim 1 including a plurality of apertures within saidplate, extending between said upper side and said lower side treadchannels.
 11. A tread plate as in claim 10 in which said aperturescomprise elongated slots.
 12. A tread plate as in claim 1 manufacturedfrom extruded aluminum.
 13. A tread plate as in claim 1 in which saidreinforcement means is adjacent said male connector means, and furtherincluding a fillet between said reinforcement means and said maleconnector means.
 14. (canceled).
 15. A tread plate as in claim 1 inwhich said ribs have an outer edge, and further including a plurality oftransverse notches in said outer edge.
 16. A walk ramp, comprising: a.first and second tread plates, each said tread plate comprising: a platehaving opposing side edges and a first connecting edge and a secondconnecting edge extending between said side edges, said first connectingedge including male connector means and said second connecting edgeincluding female connector means, said plate further having an upperside and a lower side; a plurality of exposed ribs protruding from saidupper side and said lower side of said plate, said ribs extendingsubstantially between said opposing side edges and being arranged inspaced relation across said plate to define upper side and lower sidetread channels therebetween; reinforcement means integrally formed withsaid plate, said reinforcement means extending substantially betweensaid opposing side edges and including a fastening receiver adjacenteach side edge, said male connector means of said first tread platebeing slidably engaged with said female connector means of said secondtread plate; b. first and second side rails, said rails having inwardlyfacing channels sized to accept said opposing side edges of said firstand second tread plates; and, c. means for connecting said first andsecond tread plates to said first and second side rails.
 17. A walk rampas in claim 16 in which said means for connecting said first and secondtread plates to said first and second side rails comprises a pluralityof rail bolts passing inwardly through said side rails and threadablyengaging said reinforcement means.
 18. A walk ramp as in claim 17further including a plurality of channel bolts and respective nuts, saidbolts passing through said channels and said opposing side edges of saidfirst and second tread plates.
 19. A walk ramp as in claim 16 furtherincluding an apron attached to an upper end of each of said side rails.20. A walk ramp as in claim 18 further including a skid plate attachedto a lower end of each of said side rails, in which said channel boltsand respective nuts secure said skid plate to said side rails.
 21. Awalk ramp as in claim 16 in which said first and second tread plates andsaid first and second side rails are formed from extruded aluminum. 22.A walk ramp as in claim 16 in which said first and second tread platesinclude at least one gripping aperture, sized and configured for handgripping said ramp.
 23. A tread plate comprising: a. a plate havingopposing side edges and a first connecting edge and a second connectingedge extending between said side edges, said first connecting edgeincluding male connector means and said second connecting edge includingfemale connector means; b. a plurality of ribs protruding from saidplate, said ribs extending substantially between said opposing sideedges and being arranged in spaced relation across said plate to definetread channels therebetween; and, c. reinforcement means integrallyformed within said plate, said reinforcement means comprises a tubeextending substantially between said opposing side edges and including afastening receiver adjacent each side edge and at least two rail boltspassing inwardly into a respective said fastening receiver.
 24. A treadplate as in claim 23 in which said fastening receiver comprises an openend, sized to be engaged by a threaded end of a respective said railbolt.
 25. A walk ramp, comprising: a. first and second tread plates,each said tread plate comprising: a plate having opposing side edges anda first connecting edge and a second connecting edge extending betweensaid side edges, said first connecting edge including male connectormeans and said second connecting edge including female connector means;a plurality of ribs protruding from said plate, said ribs extendingsubstantially between said opposing side edges and being arranged inspaced relation across said plate to define tread channels therebetween;reinforcement means integrally formed with said plate, saidreinforcement means extending substantially between said opposing sideedges and including a fastening receiver adjacent each side edge, saidmale connector means of said first tread plate being slidably engagedwith said female connector means of said second tread plate; b. firstand second side rails, said rails having inwardly facing channels sizedto accept said opposing side edges of said first and second treadplates; and, c. means for connecting said first and second tread platesto said first and second side rails comprising a plurality of rail boltspassing inwardly through said side rails and threadably engaging saidreinforcement means.
 26. A walk ramp as in claim 25 further including aplurality of channel bolts and respective nuts, said bolts passingthrough said channels and said opposing side edges of said first andsecond tread plates.
 27. A walk ramp as in claim 26 further including askid plate attached to a lower end of each of said side rails, in whichsaid channel bolts and respective nuts secure said skid plate to said